Gifts for “The Hard to Buy For”

Bombay International
Prize: $50 Gift Certificate
Location 122 S Michigan St, Suite 110
Online: https://www.facebook.com/BombayInternational

Full of colors, sparkling jewelry, and warm winter garments – Bombay International offers an array of exciting presents for that bright friend on your shopping list. As the owner is supporting start-up businesses in India for women, and paying to educate their children – dollars that customers spend here go far, literally.

Items offered by the boutique include a large selection of clothing and jewelry for women and children, hand-knit hats and gloves, shirts for men, and home décor. Once a year, the owner, Mariam Malkovsky, travels to India to handpick clothing and jewelry.

“People should feel great about putting their dollars into Bombay International for two reasons. First, they are contributing to the strength of the local Downtown economy and, second, this helps support women and children in India,” says Mariam.

On December’s First Friday, Bombay International is offering a special; buy one item and get any other item of the same or lesser value for half-price. Also, a $50 gift certificate will be drawn each month from a raffle.

The Music Village
Prize: A January Swing Lesson Pack For Two, $40 value (this consists of 4 beginner lessons for a couple)
Location: 108 N Main St, JMS Building – Basement Level
Online: http://themusicvillage.org/

Vibrant and cheerful, full of music and dance – you wouldn’t think the JMS Building basement could be so lively and lovely, but it is – thanks to The Music Village (TMV). Together new skills are learned and friendships are forged in music.

“We put instruments in people’s hands, help them find their voices, get them out of their chairs and onto a dance floor! Sometimes this is for the first time and sometimes it means dusting off a pair of dance shoes or an old guitar that hasn’t been used in years,” says Kellirae Boann, Executive Director.

The Music Village offers gift cards, group classes, private lessons, and t-shirts as well as drop-in Swing dance classes and songwriting classes. TMV also offers two popular and FREE classes each week: Ukuleles on Monday and Acoustic Jam on Tuesdays. Some instruments are available to students, and others can be rented.

A new gift-idea that captures the spirit of The Music Village is Holiday Harmonies, a singing telegram service featuring Music Village vocalists. It is perfect for anyone looking to give a unique gift to corporate clients, favorite customers, and hard-to-please relatives, to name just a few. These can be purchased at any time on their website and will be delivered between December 3rd and 20th.

The Morris Performing Arts Center
Prize: Two Tickets to Any Upcoming Show (valid for one year)
Location: 211 N Michigan Street
Online: http://www.morriscenter.org/

The Morris Performing Arts Center provides a professional theatre experience in Downtown South Bend
that contributes heavily to the economic lifeblood of local businesses such as restaurants and hotels. Show nights bring vibrancy to the area and a priceless experience and excitement to ticket-holders.

You’ve probably had a long holiday season already, between Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday. While you’re shopping Downtown, stop by the Morris, see what shows are playing and give a gift to the most important person that should be on your list, yourself!

If you know someone that would appreciate a night out, The Morris offers gift cards for any dollar amount and they have no expiration date. They host a wide range of shows and concerts from national touring Broadway shows and musicals, to comedians, pop and country concerts. Additionally, The Morris is home to local performances such as South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

Fire Arts
Prize: $10 Off a Purchase of $50 or more (classes, or merchandise)
Location: 305 E Colfax Ave
Online: http://fireartsinc.com/

When they opened 10 years ago, Fire Arts became an anchor of the arts renaissance in the area. Featuring one-of-a-kind items made by local artists – you are bound to find a unique present that anyone would appreciate.

Providing a space for local artists to produce and provide their art to the public, Fire Arts offers gifts including; hand-made ornaments and jewelry, enamels, handmade functional pottery (dishwasher, oven, microwave safe), sculptures, and, occasionally, pastels or drawings.

Fire Arts is offering a holiday discount to all shoppers, starting on Small Business Saturday and lasting until December 31st when all guests will receive 10% off their purchase, including classes as well as merchandise. Their website has information on what classes are available.

“All of our artists are from the area and are dedicated to creating art. When you shop here you’re directly helping them continue their passion for the creative process,” says Yvonne Desrosiers, Fire Arts Vice President.

South Bend Brew Werks
Prize: A Tasting Event for 2 and a Tour of the Brewery
Location: 216 S Michigan Street
Online: http://southbendbrewwerks.com/

Downtown offers a lot of hip and fun venues, but only one brewpub! Every beer you drink at South Bend Brew Werks gives back to the community. Their mission? Building a stronger community, one brew at a time.

With every beer, the consumer is given a token and decides which SBBW community partner receives a donation by putting the token in a jar. It has been a great success – in October they donated around $2,000! They also source almost everything locally from partners such as the Purple Porch Co-op and Farmer’s Market.

Over the holidays, the Brew Werks are offering a package discount on a gift card, logo shirt, and a logo glass. It’s the perfect present for the beer-lover on your list! After the holidays, they will be working on many fun events including a “Geeks that Drink” trivia night on Tuesdays.

Junk Evolution
Prize: $25 Gift Certificate
Location: 528 E Colfax Avenue
Online: http://www.junkevolution.blogspot.com/

In a society where many throw away old, broken, or used items – Junk Evolution has chosen to take a more sustainable approach and “reteach” these items their loveliness. The store is filled with timeworn treasures and repurposed, unique items.

From sleds to landscaping equipment, everything can have a second-purpose and Junk Evolution sees that potential in the world around them. What once could have been junk is now a unique piece of art, or a functional object in your home.

“Since there is always something new to discover at Junk Evolution our customers stop in regularly to lift their spirits,” says Linda Sherck.

Junk Evolution also offers gift cards and, during December’s First Friday event, they are having an ugly Christmas sweater contest with prizes for the winners!

Circa Arts
Prize: A Hand-Made Pewabic Pottery Tile of a Pineapple
Location: 528 E Colfax Ave
Online: http://www.circaartsgallery.com/

Nestled in the same building as Junk Evolution, Circa Arts offers one-of-a-kind gifts for that person on your list that will appreciate a present no one else has. Circa Arts is a sophisticated yet approachable gallery, with an emphasis on local Arts and Crafts artisans.

Ranging from jewelry to hand-made tiles, Circa Art’s contents are bound to keep you browsing for quite some time. Stained glass, woodwork, pottery and paintings – there are endless possibilities. Gift certificates are available, if you’re finding it difficult to choose, and the store is open six days a week in December.

“Shop local to support local small businesses. We keep the money in the community and we define the personality of the town unlike the big box stores and chains,” says owner, Kathy Reddy White.

Gene’s Camera Store
Prize: An 11×14 Canvas Gallery Wrap, $45 value
Location: 513 Lincolnway West
Online: http://genescamera.com/

Pictures and videos are the closest we can get to capturing a moment, or creating a tangible memory. During the Holiday Season, gifts can be practical or aesthetic, and Gene’s Camera Store provides items that are both.

Gene’s Camera Store offers a variety of very unique and personal products such as photo frames, greeting cards, canvas-prints and even printing on fabric such as scarves and aprons. You can find that hard-to-buy-for person on your shopping list a gift that will touch their heart.

Gene’s Camera Store also offers bags, cases, lenses, tripods, studio lighting and other accessories for the more dedicated photographer in your family. Classes are available as well.

About The Author

Kelsie Ferguson is the enFocus Ambassador of Buzz for Downtown South Bend. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Art History. She developed her talents as the Staff Writer and then Managing Editor at the IUSB campus paper, The Preface.

Competition Details and Rules

The Facebook promotion being run in parallel with this Gift Guide article is administered by enFocus Inc., a non-profit business-consulting firm located in South Bend, Indiana. It is open to residents of the South Bend region over the age of 18 years. The deadline for entries is 9:00 AM on December 7th, 2014. There is a limit of one entry per person. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, OMG Photography or DTSB.